Korea: Art and Archaeology

by Jane Portal

The publication of this general introduction to the art and archaeology of Korea coincides with the new permanent Korea gallery at the British Museum, promoting a wider interest in the country and its history. Aimed at a non-specialist audience, this book is readable and well illustrated. It and covers a vast time period from the Neolithic, c.6000 BC, to the present day. The remarkable culture of this country gradually unfolds through the descriptions and illustrations of Korean art, decorative objects, pottery and monuments, sculpture, crafts and ceramics.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Archaeology

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book to serve as an introduction overview of period art and architecture. Portal reviews period porcelain/pottery, art, calligraphy, painting, metal craft and jewelry, architecture, and just enough context of each period to give the art some proper setting. I felt, at times, there weren't enough photos of various art. And the most frustrating part of this book is that she, at times, mentioned or spent 1-2 paragraphs on a piece of art and the book didn't provide a single photo of it.

There was a very selectively cursory or detailed feel to this book: Portal went into depth on more piece than some, which was also more frustrating.

Again, good to start with this book, but use it to branch off into more detailed reviews of, perhaps, Goryo only period works; or Choson period works.

[John Newcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and intriguing consideration of Korean culture which has for centuries acted as a buffer between China and Japan whilst trying to maintain its own identity.